Page 2 of The Captain's Curfew
“Yeah, well, someone has to be.”I push back from the table, gathering my notes.“We’re done here.Practice starts at eight tomorrow morning.Be on time.”
Declan stays behind as the guys file out, watching me with that look that says he’s about to ask for something I don’t want to give.
I sigh and beat him to it.“What do you want, Hayes?”
His grin is quick and disarming.“You make me sound so predictable.”
“That’s because you are.”
Declan props a hip against the table, rubbing the back of his neck.“Okay, so you remember my little sister, Violet?”
I stiffen instantly.“What about her?”
“She just got hired as the team’s new social media manager.”
Shit.I do remember Violet Hayes—mostly because she’s been a thorn in my side since she was a teenager.Declan’s kid sister had a habit of tagging along when we were younger, always looking at me with those big, wide eyes that made my heart race and my life difficult.I would never admit it, but I always had a crush on her.I never went there because I was focused on hockey, and I knew that Declan would have murdered me.The last thing I need is her complicating my season right now.
“And,” Declan continues, “she needs a place to stay for a few weeks until she finds an apartment.She had a place lined up, but it fell through at the last minute.Could she crash with you for a few days?Just until she finds a new one?”
I stop walking.“You want your little sister to stay with me?”
“She’s not ten anymore, Logan.She’s twenty-four.And you’ve got the space.Come on, it’s only for a few days.”
I stare out over the parking lot, jaw clenched.The last time I saw Violet, she was barely out of college.All bright eyes and smart-ass comments, always teasing me whenever I was over at Declan’s.She’s got this… light about her.It's the kind of light I’ve avoided my whole career.
“You trust me living with your sister?”I ask finally.
“I trustherto kick your ass if you so much as scowl at her too hard.Besides, you’re the safest guy I know.Completely immune to fun.”
I swear under my breath.“No.”
“Come on, man.It’s just temporary.”
“No,” I repeat, firmer this time.“I don’t do roommates.”
“Dude, she’s my sister.”
“Exactly.Which is why you should handle it.”
Declan exhales.“I would, but my condo’s getting renovated, and she needs a place now.She’s not some random girl, Carter.She’s Violet.”
That’s precisely the problem.
I press my fingers against my temple.“Fine,” I mutter.“Two weeks max.That’s it.”
Declan’s face splits into a victorious grin.“I knew you had a soft spot somewhere in that frozen heart.”
I glare at him, but he claps me on the back before heading out.I sit there for a long moment, staring at the empty meeting room, already regretting my decision.
This is going to be a disaster.
I try to put that out of my mind as I pack up and make the short drive home.After showering, and tidying up the place a bit, tensing at every sound outside my door.I’m not sure if I’m dreading seeing Violet again or excited.
Sighing, I sink onto my couch and stare at the clock.Finally, I hear the knock on my apartment door, and I already know who it is.With a resigned sigh, I pull it open and find Violet standing there, beaming up at me like she hasn’t ruined my perfectly structured life.
“Hey, Logan,” she says cheerfully, holding two suitcases.“Your new favorite roommate has arrived.”
She leans in like we’re old friends and wraps me in a hug before I can dodge it.
